Presidential firsts with technology

President Barack Obama was the first president to use a smartphone, but who was the first to use a telephone? Find out when presidents first embraced certain technologies.

By Houston Chronicle Web Staff

on January 21, 2013 2:00 PM

Photo: Jupiter Images and AP Photo

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Barack Obama – Obama’s first presidential term was full of firsts, many related to technology. Obama was the first president to use social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. However, he’ll likely be remembered more for being the first president with a smartphone. Much to the chagrin of government officials, Obama kept his personal Blackberry when he entered office.

Barack Obama – Obama’s first presidential term was full of firsts, many related to technology. Obama was the first president to use social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. However,

Bill Clinton – Clinton’s administration came right as the Internet became popular. His administration started WhiteHouse.gov, but used the technology sparingly. George W. Bush would use the technology more extensively. .

Bill Clinton – Clinton’s administration came right as the Internet became popular. His administration started WhiteHouse.gov, but used the technology sparingly. George W. Bush would use the technology more

George H.W. Bush – E-mail made its way to the White House in... Photo-4050718.55337 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Jimmy Carter – Carter started the White House’s transition from typewriters and written documents to computers. Carter installed a Hewlett Packard 3000 in the West Wing in 1978. Terminals were connected in the offices of senior and mid-level staff.

Jimmy Carter – Carter started the White House’s transition from typewriters and written documents to computers. Carter installed a Hewlett Packard 3000 in the West Wing in 1978. Terminals were connected

Franklin D. Roosevelt – The FDR administration had plenty of technological enhancements. Roosevelt was the first president to use a plane – a Boeing 314 – on official U.S. business. He took the plane, dubbed the Dixie Clipper, to meet Winston Churchill in North Africa in 1943. FDR also was the first president to use television extensively.

Warren G. Harding – The White House had plenty of technology during the 1920s, including an electric refrigerator. Harding, however, installed the first radio in the White House in 1922. Franklin D. Roosevelt would use the technology extensively during his presidency.

William McKinley – McKinley is widely credited as the first president to ride in a car. The 25th president took a short drive in Stanley Steamer, a steam-powered vehicle. The adoption of automobiles for the presidential motorcade wouldn’t come until William Taft replaced horses with a fleet of cars.

William McKinley – McKinley is widely credited as the first president to ride in a car. The 25th president took a short drive in Stanley Steamer, a steam-powered vehicle. The adoption of automobiles for the

Benjamin Harrison – Electric lighting was first installed in 1891 during the middle of Harrison’s presidency. Since the technology was new, Harrison was a bit wary of it. He reportedly refused to touch the switches.

Benjamin Harrison – Electric lighting was first installed in 1891 during the middle of Harrison’s presidency. Since the technology was new, Harrison was a bit wary of it. He reportedly refused to touch

Chester A. Arthur: Arthur was in office when an elevator was installed at the White House. However, James A. Garfield had asked for the elevator to be installed, but it was postponed due to his illness.

ChesterA. Arthur: Arthur was in office when an elevator was installed at the White House. However, James A. Garfield had asked for the elevator to be installed, but it was postponed due to his illness.

Rutherford B. Hayes – Hayes was the first president to have access to a telephone in the White House. The phone was installed in 1879, but it was rarely used due to the small number of telephones around the country at the time. The number for the White House used to be “1.”

Rutherford B. Hayes – Hayes was the first president to have access to a telephone in the White House. The phone was installed in 1879, but it was rarely used due to the small number of telephones around the

Rutherford B. Hayes – Hayes was the first president to have... Photo-4050774.55337 - Beaumont Enterprise

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James Buchanan – The telegraph is a difficult piece of technology to attribute to a single president. Buchanan made the first transatlantic telegraph in 1858, making him the first president to use it in that fashion. However, Abraham Lincoln used the technology more extensively than Buchanan. Andrew Johnsonwas the first president to have a telegraph installed in the White House.

James Buchanan – The telegraph is a difficult piece of technology to attribute to a single president. Buchanan made the first transatlantic telegraph in 1858, making him the first president to use it in

William Henry Harrison: Despite serving only 31 days in office, Harrison, the ninth president, was the first to be photographed.His photo was taken in the Capitol on March 4, 1841, according to White House records.

William Henry Harrison: Despite serving only 31 days in office, Harrison, the ninth president, was the first to be photographed. His photo was taken in the Capitol on March 4, 1841, according to White House

Martin Van Buren: Van Buren would have been in office when the White House began using a primitive heating system. The hot-air heating system was installed in 1840, according to WhiteHousehistory.org. It would be expanded by James K. Polk in 1845 to include the State Room and the second floor.

Martin Van Buren: Van Buren would have been in office when the White House began using a primitive heating system. The hot-air heating system was installed in 1840, according to WhiteHousehistory.org. It

Martin Van Buren: Van Buren would have been in office when the... Photo-4050991.55337 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Andrew Jackson: Jackson introduced one of the most important technological features – running water. Running water came to the White House in 1833, using a large pump that piped water to the east terrace bathroom.

Andrew Jackson: Jackson introduced one of the most important technological features – running water. Running water came to the White House in 1833, using a large pump that piped water to the east terrace